Timer construction means and system utilizing the same or the like

ABSTRACT

A timer construction having a frame means carrying a timer motor. A time selector is carried by the frame means for selecting a desired time period that the timer motor is to operate. An actuator is operatively associated with the timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by the time selector. The time selector is adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period during the operation of the timer motor as long as the new selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector. The actuator can comprise a push button means which indicates the amount of time lapsing during the operation of the timer. The timer construction is utilized with a similar timer construction to provide a unique timer construction system.

Niemand TIMER CONSTRUCTION MEANS AND SYSTEM UTILIZING THE SAME OR THELIKE [75] Inventor: Emil Niemand, Waterbury, Conn. [73] Assignee:Robertshaw Controls Company,

Richmond, Va.

221 Filed: Dec.29 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 213,769

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser No. 47011, June 171970, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl. ..307/14l.4, 200/38 A [51] Int. Cl. ..Il0lh 43/04 [58]Field ofSearch ..307/l4l.4; 3l7/l4l R (56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,421,835 6/1947 Durant .l307/l4l.4 3,528,315 9/1970Marquis ..74/S53 Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer AssistantExaminerM. Ginsburg. AttorneyJames T. Candor et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A timer construction having a frame means carrying a timermotor. A time selector is carried by the frame means for selectingadesired time period that the timer motor is to operate. An actuator isoperatively associated with the timer motor to initiate the operationthereof after a desired time period has been selected by the timeselector. The time selector is adapted to selectively increase ordecrease the selected time period during the operation of the timermotor as long as the new selected time period is not less than theinitial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the newtime selection is made by the time selector. The actuator can comprise apush button means which indicates the amount of time lapsing during theoperation of the timer. The timer construction is utilized with asimilar timer construction to provide a unique timer constructionsystem.

8 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures Jan. 16, 1973 PATENTEDJAH 16 1915 SHEET 2OF 9 III/,1,

PATENTEBJAH 16 ms 3.711.727

sum 3 [IF 9 TIMER CONSTRUCTION MEANS AND SYSTEM UTILIZING THE SAME ORTHE LIKE This is a division, of application Ser. No. 47,011, filed June17, I970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,870 issued Mar.28, 1972.

This invention relates to an improved timer construction as well as toan improved system utilizing such timer construction means or the like.

In general, timer construction means have been provided wherein theoperator can select a desired time period of operation with a selectormeans and, thereafter, initiate the selected time period upon theactuation of an actuator or the like, such as a push button, whereby thetimer construction will thereafter operate for the selected time period.

One of the features of this invention is to provide such a timerconstruction wherein the operator can increase or decrease the selectedtime period during the operation of the timer construction as long asthe newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse oftime of the initial time period at the time the new time selection isbeing made by the operator.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such a timerconstruction wherein visual indication is provided of the time that haslapsed during a particular time cycle of operation thereof.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such a timerconstruction wherein the release mechanism for terminating the operationof the timer construction is normally at its zero position and need notbe moved to a new position thereof after the actuation of the timerconstruction as in prior timer constructions.

- In particular, one embodiment of this invention provides a timerconstruction having a frame means carrying an electrical timer motor aswell as a switch means which operates a desired circuit to be controlledthereby. A time selector is carried by the frame means for selecting adesired time period that the timer construction is to operate. Anactuator means is operatively associated with the timer motor toinitiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has beenselected by the time selector means, the timeselector being adapted toselectively increase or decrease the selected time period during theeffective operation of the timer motor as long as the newly selectedtime periodis not less than the initial lapse of time of the initialtimeperiod at the time the new time selection is madeby the timeselector means. The actuator comprises a push button carried by theselector means which comprises a knob construction, the push buttonbeing adapted to be moved by the timer motor during the operation of thetimer so as to indicate the lapse of time during a particular operatingcycle.

If desired, remote control means can be utilized to operate such a pushbutton actuator means, the remote control means including a solenoidoperated lever arrangement carried by the frame means.

Such timer construction can be utilized in combination with another liketimer construction to provide an automatic on-off timed operation thatwill be repeated continuously as long as the selector switch is in anautomatic position thereof. Such control system also can be providedwith a manual switch position wherein the operator can initiate the oncycle of operation every time a manual remote control switch is operatedby the operator or the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedtimer construction having one or more of the novel features set forthabove or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved controlsystem utilizing such a timer construction or the like, the controlsystem of this invention having one or more of the novel features setforth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view of the improved timer construction ofthis invention mounted to a control panel or the like.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates the timerconstruction after a predetermined time period has been selected by theselector means thereof.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the timer con structionoperating after the timer construction has been actuated from the timeselected condition of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and illustrates the timerconstruction at the end of the timed period previously selected in FIG.7.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates the timerconstruction in its actuated condition.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of certain parts ofthe timer construction of FIGS. 2 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. I and illustrates another embodimentof the timer construction of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially online 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts of the knobconstruction of the timer construction of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 12 and illustrates another embodimentof the timer construction of this invention.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially online l6 I6 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a reduced, transverse cross-sectional view taken on line I7I7of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a reduced bottom view of the timer construction of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating an improved control systemof this invention utilizing two timer constructions of the remotecontrol type of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. I9 and illustrates the control circuitupon the initial actuation of the same when set in a remote controlmanual position thereof,

the heavy lines in FIG. illustrating the energized circuits.

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 and illustrates the timerconstruction operating a desired load means.

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 19 and illustrates the operation ofthe system when the switch means is moved to its remote controlautomatic position.

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 and illustrates the operation ofone of the timer means after the switch has been moved to the automaticposition of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 and illustrates the control circuitby heavy lines following the lapse of the time cycle produced by theoperated timer construction of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24 and illustrates the operation ofthe other timer construction now operating the load means for a secondpredetermined period of time. I

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as being particularly adapted to provide timerconstruction means for operating an electrical switch, it is to beunderstood that the various features of this invention can be utilizedsingly or in any combination thereof to provide timer construction meansfor operating other devices as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate some of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an improved timer construction ofthis invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral andcomprises a frame means 31 formed form a plurality of plates 32 and 33secured together in spaced parallel relation by post means 34. Anelectrical timer motor 35 is carried by the frame means 31 in anysuitable manner and has an output shaft 36 carrying a pinion gear 37 formeshing with a larger pinion gear 38 fixed on bushing means 39 rotatablycarried by the plate 32, the pinion gear 38 having a friction clutchface 40 for clutching with a resilient clutch face 41 of an axiallymovable clutch member 42 fixed by a bushing 43 to an axially movableshaft 45 having one end 46 passing through suitable opening means 47 inthe bushing 39 and the other end 48 thereof received in an opening 49 ofa knob bushing 50 rotatably mounted to the plate 33.

The clutch member 41 has a tang extension 51 that is normally disposedin a zero position against a post means 52 of the frame means 31 in themanner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 by a torsion spring 53 wrappedaround the bushing 43 and having its inner end fixed thereto with itsouter end 54 being secured to post means 52 of the frame means 31whereby the torsion spring 53 tends to move the clutch member 42 in acounterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 against the post means 52.

An electrical switch 56 is carried by the frame means 31 of the timerconstruction 30 and has an operating plunger 57 normally urged to itsextended condition outwardly relative to the housing 58 of theelectrical switch 56 and bearing against an end 59 of a lever 60fulcrumed or pivoted to the frame 31 by ears 61 of the lever 60 passingthrough suitable slots 62 in the plate 32 of the frame means 31 wherebyanother end 63 of the lever 60 is at the end 46 of the actuator shaft 45for a purpose hereinafter described.

The'natural bias of the spring means and electrical switch 56 is suchthat the same tends to maintain the plunger 57 in its out" position and,thus, the lever 60 and actuator shaft 45 in the axial positionillustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the clutch member 42 that is carried bythe actuator shaft 45 has its clutch face 41 disposed out of contactwith the clutch base 40 of the pinion gear 38.

In this manner, the timer motor 35 can be continuously operating anddriving the clutch gear 38 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3 and thesame will not affect the position of the clutch member 42 as the torsionspring 53 will maintain the clutch member 42 with its tang 51 againstthe post 52. However, it is to be understood that the timer motor 35could be interconnected in the circuit in such a manner that the samewill only be turned on to drive the clutch gear 38 when the electricalswitch 56 is actuated by having its plunger 57 moved inwardly relativeto the housing 58 in amanner hereinafter described.

The knob bushing 50 has a dial-like selector knob 64 secured theretowith the knob 64 having an outer annu' lar flange 65, FIG. I, providedwith suitable time-indicating marks 66 thereon which can be set relativeto a reference point 67 on a control panel 68 carried bya suitablestructure or apparatus and having the frame means 31 of the timerconstruction 30 of this invention secured thereto by suitable fasteningmeans 69.

The knob bushing 50 is splined to a plate-like member 70 so thatplate-like member 70, bushing 50 and knob construction 64 will rotate inunison relative to the frame means 31. The plate-like member 70 carriesa pivot pin 71 on which one end 72 of a latch member 73 pivots with itsother end 74 projecting through suitable confining slot means 75 in theplate member 70. A hair spring 76 having one end 77 wrapped around thepivot pin 71 and the other end 55 thereof bearing against the latchmember 73 normally tends to move the latch member 73 toward the actuatorshaft 45. However, with the actuator shaft 45 disposed in the positionillustrated in FIG. 2, item be seen that the latch member 73 bearsagainst an enlarged cylindrical portion 78 of the actuator shaft 45.When the actuator shaft 45 is moved axially to the left in FIG. 2 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 10, a reduced cylindrical portion 79 of theactuator shaft 45 comes into registration with the latch member 73 sothat the hairspring 76 can force the latch member 73 into the recess ofthe shaft 45 defined by the reduced portion 79 and thereby prevent theactuator shaft 45 from moving back to the right under the force of thespring of the switch means 56 until the latch member 73 is movedoutwardly relative to the actuator shaft 45 in opposition to thehairspring 76 in a manner hereinafter described.

The latch member 73 has an outwardly directed tang 80 at the end 74thereof which is adapted to cooperate with a pin means 81 carried by thetang 51 of the clutch member 42 in a manner hereinafter described.

A push button actuator 82 is carried in the central portion of the knobconstruction 64 to rotate in unison therewith, but being axially movablerelative thereto from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to a positionwhere shoulder means 83 thereof will abut shoulder means 84 of the knobconstruction 64. A pin 85 is carried by the knob portion 50 and has anenlarged end 86 for abutting against the end 48 of the actuator shaft45, the other end 87 of the pin 85 projecting into the space between theknob construction 64 and the closed end wall 88 of the push button 82normally held in its out" position by a compression spring 89.

However, when the operator desires to actuate the timer construction 30,the push button 82 is pushed inwardly relative to the knob construction64 so that the end wall 88 thereof can bear against the pin 85 and movethe pin 85, and, thus, the actuator shaft 45 to the left in FIGS. 2 andin opposition to the force of the spring of the switch means 56 to causethe shaft 45 to be latched in its inward position by the latch member 73in the manner previously described and for a purpose hereinafterdescribed whereby the release of the push button means 82 will permitthe same to return to its out" position under the force of thecompression spring 89 while the actuator shaft 45 will remain in its in"or actuating position as illustrated in FIG. 1b until the latch member73 is released therefrom in a manner hereinafter described. Thus, aslong as the actuator shaft 45 is in its actuating position of FIG. 10,the electrical switch 56 is in an actuated or a particular circuitcompleting condition thereof.

In order to maintain the clutch gear 38 in a fixed rotational positionrelative to the plate 32 of the frame means 31, a suitable retainer 90is carried by the lefthand end of the bushing 39 so as to bear againstthe left-hand side of the plate 32; A suitable leaf spring 91 isdisposed between the right-hand side of the plate 32 and the clutch gear38 so as to permit the gear 38 to rotate relative to the plate 32 but beforced into its rightward position as illustrated in FiG. 2.

The operation of the timer construction 30 will now be described.

With the knob construction 64 of the timer construction 30 disposed inthe off position as illustrated in FIG. 1, the electrical switch 56 isin an off condition thereof so that no electrical current is beingpassed between the terminals 92 and 93 thereof. However, if it isdesired to operate the electrical switch 56 for a predetermined timeperiod within the limits of the timer construction 30, the operatorgrasps the knob construction 64 and rotates the same in a clockwisedirection in FIG. 1 until the appropriate time mark 66 is adjacent thereference mark 67 on the control panel 68. Such clockwise rotation ofthe selector knob 64 causes the plate member '70 and latch member 73 torotate in a clockwise direction from FlG. 3 to the time setting positionof FIG. 7 whereby it can be seen that the tang 80 of the latch member 73is completely moved out-of the path of travel of the pin 81 of theclutch member 42 for a certain rotational movement of the clutch member42 as will be apparent hereinafter.

A suitable friction detent spring 94 disposed between the frame plate 33and the knob bushing 50 will frictionally maintain the selector knob 64in the selected time setting position thereof.

Thereafter, the operator can initiate the selected time operation of thetimer motor 35 of the timer construction 30 by pushing inwardly on thepush button 82 to cause the actuator shaft 45 to now move to the leftfrom the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated inFIG. 10 whereby not only is the actuator shaft 45 now latched in itsinward position by the latch member 73 under the force of the hairspring 76 in the manner previously described, but such inward positionof the actuator shaft 45 has caused the push plunger 57 of the switch 56to close the switch mechanism and thereby electrically interconnect theterminals 92 and 93 thereof together and place the resilient face 41 ofthe clutch member 42 into clutching engagement with the clutch face 40of the pinion gear 38 so that the clutch plate 42 will now begin torotate in unison with the clutch gear 38 under the control of the motor35. As previously stated, the timer motor 35 can be a continuouslyoperating motor or operating only when the electrical switch 56 isclosed as desired.

Thus, the shaft 45 begins to rotate in unison with the clutch plate 42for the amount of time previously selected by the selector knob 64. lnparticular, the clutch plate 42 now rotates in a clockwise direction asillustrated in FIG. 8 until the pin 81 thereof comes into engagementwith the tang of the latch member 73 in a manner illustrated in FIG. 9whereby further movement in a clockwise direction of the pin 81 willcarry the latch member 73 therewith in opposition to the force of thehairspring 76 so that the latch member 73 will clear out of the groove79 between the cylindrical portions 78 and 48 of the actuator shaft 45and permit the shaft 45 to move back to the right by the force of thespring of the switch plunger 57 to not only disengage the clutch member42 from the clutch gear 38 as illustrated in FlG. 2 and therebyterminate control of the clutch member 42 from the timer motor 35, butalso to permit the torsion spring 53 to now rotate the clutch member 42in a counterclockwise direction so that the tang 51 thereof will againbe moved back to its zero position against the post 52 of the framemeans 31 as illustrated in FlG. 4. The rightward movement of theactuator shaft 45 upon the pin 81 of the clutch member 42 releasing thelatch member 73 from the actuator shaft 45 terminates the on time of theelectrical switch 56.

However, the selector knob 64 still remains in the previous time settingposition thereof so that if the operator again wants to repeat the exacttime cycle previously accomplished by the timer construction 30, theoperator need only again manually press the actuator button 82 in themanner previously described to cause the timer construction 30 tooperate the electrical switch 56 for the previously selected time periodof operation thereof.

However, the operator can reset the selector knob 64 to another desiredtime position thereof before actuating the actuator button 82 in themanner previously described.

If during a particular timed operation of the timer construction 30, theoperator desires to change the selected time of the knob construction64, such time period can be increased or decreased as long as the newlyselected time period of the selector knob 64 is not less than theinitial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the newselection is being made by the selector means 64 so that the pin 81 ofthe clutch member 42 will not engage the tang 80 of the latch member 74.

Further, it can be seen that the timer construction 30 of this inventionhas the latch release means 42 in a zero position against the stopmember 52 at the time the actuator 82 is being utilized to initiallystart a particular time cycle so that the latch release member 42 doesnot have to move to an on position thereon after the actuation of theactuator 82 as required in prior known timer constructions so thatimmediately upon the actuation of the actuator button 82, the timedcycle of this invention can commence.

Therefore, it can be seen that the timer construction 30 of thisinvention can be made of relatively few parts in a simple and effectivemanner to accomplish the aforementioned objects and features as well asthe objects and features hereinafter set forth for the other embodimentsof this invention.

While the timer construction 30 of this invention has been previouslydescribed as having the electrical switch 56 mounted at the top thereofand with the selector knob 64 being rotated in a clockwise direction foran increase in time selection thereof, it is to be understood that theframe means 31 thereof can be inverted 180 in the manner provided by thetimer construction illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18 whereby {thetime selection in an increasing selection is made by .the selector knobbeing rotated in a counterclockwise direction. This is permitted by thevarious parts operating in the manner previously described as will beapparent hereinafter.

As previously stated, the timer construction 30 of this inventionpermits the operator to change the selected time period that the timerconstruction 30 is to operate by increasing or decreasing that time evenafter the operation has begun provided the newly selected time is notless than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at thetime the new time selection is made by the time selector means 64thereof. Another embodiment of this invention provides such a timerconstruction wherein the knob construction itself will indicate to theuser the amount of time that has actually elapsed during a selected timeperiod thereof so that the operator can make a change of the selectormeans for the previously described purpose.

In particular, another timer construction of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 30A in FIGS. 1214 and parts thereofsimilar to the timer construction 30 previously described are indicatedby like reference numerals followed by the reference letter A."

In general, the timer construction 30A is identical to the timerconstruction 30 except that the knob means actuator and actuator shafthave been modified in order to provide means for indicating the amountof time lapsing during a timed operation thereof.

In particular, the knob bushing 50A is splined to a plate member 95 sothat the plate member 95 will rotate in unison with the bushing 50A. Theplate 95 has one end 96 thereof disposed between two spaced apart pinsor projections 97 of aselector knob 98 telescoped onto the bushing 50Aas illustrated in FIG. 13 and carrying an indicating mark 99 that is tobe registered against a desired time marking 100 on a control panelsheet 101 adapted to be disposed outboard of the plate 33A of the framemeans 31A. Of course, the control plate sheet 101 could comprise acontrol plate or panel of a desired supporting structure, as desired.

The actuator shaft 45A of the timer construction 30A has he end 48Athereof completely passing through the knob bushing 50A and beingsecured to a retainer 102 fastened to a plate-like member 103 carryingan indicating mark 104, FIGS. 12 and 14, on the exposed side thereofwhereby the actuator shaft 45A and plate 103 are rotatable in unisonwith the clutch member 42A- for a purpose now to be described.

With the timer construction 30A disposed in the of position asillustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the operator turns the selector knob 98in a,clockwise direction to position the indicating mark 99 thereofagainst the desired time period marking 100 on the control panel 101.Since the actuator means 102 and 103 do not rotate in unison with theselector knob 98, the indicating mark 104 thereof remains at the firstor zero marking 105 of the control plate 101.

Thereafter, the operator pushes inwardly on the actuator means or pushbutton means 102, 103 to cause the actuator shaft 45A to move inwardlyto the left in FIG. 13 and be latched in its inward position for notonly closing the electrical switch 56A in the manner previouslydescribed, but also to clutch the clutch plate 42A with the clutch gear38A so that the clutch plate 42A and, thus, the actuator shaft 45A willnow begin to rotate in unison during the entire time period until thepin 81A of the clutch plate 42A will engage the tang 80A of the latchmember 73A in the manner previously described. However, as the clutchplate 42A rotates through the timed movement thereof, the push button102, 103 likewise rotates in unison therewith whereby the marking 104thereof will rotate in a clockwise direction in FIG, 12 indicating as itmoves in a clockwise direction the amount of time that has lapsed sincethe time cycle has begun and by the time the marking 104 reaches themarking 99 on the selector knob 98, the selected time period will havelapsed and the clutch member 42A will be released from the clutch gear38A in the manner previously described to be returned to its homeposition whereby the actuator button 102, 103 will likewise be rotatedcounterclockwise back to the position illustrated in FIG. 12 so that thecycle can be repeated in the manner previously described if the operatordesires to push inwardly on the actuator means 102, 103.

Thus, it can be seen that the timer construction 30A of this inventionutilizes all of the features of the timer construction 30 previouslydescribed while further providing means for indicating to the user theamount of time lapsing since the time cycle so thatthat person candetermine as to how much time has lapsed in a particular time cycle ofoperation thereof for any desired purpose.

Another feature of this invention is to provide means for operating thetimer construction from a remote position even though the push buttonmeans thereof must be axially moved in order to begin the operationthereof. 7

Accordingly, another timer construction of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 308 in FIGS. 15-18 with parts thereofsimilar to the timer constructions 30 and 30A being indicated by likereference numerals followed by the reference letter As illustrated inFIGS. -18, the timer construction 3013 is substantially identical to thetimer construction A previously described except that the frame means318 has been inverted 180".

A solenoid coil arrangement 106 is carried by the frame means 31B andcomprises a solenoid coil 107 having an armature 108 which will bepulled into the coil 107 from the position illustrated in FIG. 18 whenan electrical current passes through the coil 107 in a conventionalmanner. A lever 177 has an elbow 178 thereof pivotally mounted to theframe means 318 by a pivot pin means 109 and carries a guide pin 1 10passing through an arcuate slot 1 11 formed in the frame means 313 so asto guide pivoting movement of the lever means 177 about the pivot pinmeans 109.

A tension spring 112 has one end 113 engaging against one arm 114 of thelever 177 while the other end 115 thereof is fixed to the frame means318 whereby the lever 177 is normally in the position illustrated inFIG. 18 by the tension spring 112. However, when the coil 107 isenergized, the armature 108, by being interconnected to the other arm116 of the lever 177, will cause the lever 177 to pivot in acounterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 109 as illustrated inFIG. 18 and thereby cause the guide pin 110 thereof to move downwardlyin the arcuate slot 111 of the frame means 313.

The guide pin 110 of the lever 177 extends in the direction illustratedin FIG. 16 so that the same has its free end 117 disposed adjacent theenlarged tang 51B of the clutch member 428 when the clutch member 428 isin its home position, as illustrated in FIG. 17, against the post means52B. Thus, the energizing of the solenoid coil 107 vwill cause the lever177 and, thus, the guide pin 1 17 to abut against the tang 51B of theclutch member 4213 and move the same axially to theright in FIG. 16 tonot only place the same into frictional engagement with the clutch gear38B, but also cause the actuator shaft B to be latched by the latchmember 73B in the manner previously described to cause a timed operationfor the timer construction 308 in the manner previously describedwhereby the electrical switch 568 thereof will energize suitable loadmeans 118, FIG. 15, for the selected time period of the selector knob98B in the manner previously described. The solenoid coil 107 is adaptedto be momentarily energized by the operator pushing a push buttonelectrical switch 119, FIG. 15, located at some point completely remotefrom the timer construction 308, if desired.

Therefore, it can be seen that the various features of this inventioncan be utilized with the remotely controlled manual selector means tocause the same to operate in the manner previously described.

Such remote controlled timer constructions 30B previously described canbe utilized in a unique timer control system of this invention generallyindicated by the reference numeral 120 in FIGS. 19-25 and now to bedescribed.

The control system 120 includes an electrical power source 171 that hasa pair of power source leads L and L, that are adapted to beinterconnected by a circuit means 121 of this invention to a load means122 by two timer constructions 30B and 308' in such a manner that theload means 122 can be energized for a time period as selected by thetimer construction 303 in the manner previously described and can beautomatically energized for such a time period in a continuous mannerafter the lapse of a time period as selected by the selector means 308'as will be apparent hereinafter.

The power source lead L, is interconnected by a lead 123 to a movableswitch blade 124 of the electrical switch 568 of the timer construction308 which is normally disposed in contact with a contact 125 as long asthe plunger 57B of the switch 568 is not moved inwardly by theenergizing of the solenoid coil 107B in the manner previously described.

However, when the coil 1073 of the timer construction 308 is energized,the same causes the switch blade 124 of the switch 568 to move away fromthe contact 125 and be placed into electrical contact with a contact 126thereof for the entire time period of operation of the timerconstruction 308 after the lapse of which the switch blade 124automatically moves back to its normally closed position against thecontact 125.

The contact 125 of the switch 568 is interconnected by a lead 127 to amanually operated selector switch blade 128 of a selector switch 129which can be disposed against a contact 130 as illustrated in FIG. 22for automatic operation of the system 120 in a manner hereinafterdescribed or against a contact 131 for manual operation thereof asillustrated in FIG. 20 and in a manner hereinafter described.

The contact 130 of the selector switch 129 is interconnected by a lead132 to a movable switch blade 133 of a relay construction 134 thatincludes a coil means 135 and another switch blade 136 operated therebyso that when the coil means 135 is in a deenergized condition, theswitch blades 133 and 136 are respectively disposed against contacts 137and 138. The contact 138 is not interconnected to any part of the system120 whereas the contact 137 is interconnected by a lead 139 to one side140 of the solenoid coil 1078' of the timer construction 308' while theother side 141 of the coil 1078' is interconnected by a lead 142 to theother power source lead L However, when-the relay coil 135 is energizedin a manner hereinafter described, the same will move the switch blades133 and 136 respectively out of contact with the contacts 137 and 138and place the same into contact with contacts 143 and 144, the contact143 being interconnected by a lead 145 to one side 146 of the relay coil135 while the other side 147 of the relay coil 135 is interconnected bylead 148 to the power source lead L The contact 144 of the relay 134 isinterconnec ted by a lead 149 to a lead 150 that is interconnected toone side 151 of the solenoid coil 1078 of the timer construction 308while the other side 152 of the solenoid coil 1073 is interconnected bya lead 153 to the power source lead 142 that leads to the power sourcelead L The lead 150 that is interconnected to the side 151 of thesolenoid coil 107B of the timer construction 30B is also interconnectedto a contact 154 of a momentarily operable manual switch 155 which isadapted to have its bridging member 156 bridge the contact 154 with acontact 176 when the bridging member 156 is momentarily moved to anactuating position thereof. The contact 176 is interconnected by a lead157 to the contact 131 of the manual selector switch 129 previouslydescribed.

The normally opened contact 126 of the switch 568 of the timerconstruction 30B is interconnected by a lead 158 to one side 159 of theload 122 while the other side 160 of the load 122 is interconnected byleads 161 to the lead 142 that leads to the power source lead L Theswitch means 563' of the timer construction 308' has its switch blade124' interconnected by a lead 162 to the lead 132. The normally closedcontact 125' of the switch 568' is interconnected by a lead 163 to therelay switch blade 136. The normally opened contact 126 of the switch56B is interconnected by a lead 164 to the lead 145 for the relay 134.

The selector switch blade 128 is disposed in its off" position when thesame is intermediate the contacts 130 and 131 thereof, as illustrated inFIG. 19. Thus, the control system 120 is in a complete of conditionthereof whereby the electrical power source 171 cannot be connected tothe load means 122.

However, if the operator desires to operate the load means 122 for apredetermined time cycle as selected by the selector means of the timer308 each time'the operator will press the manual switch 155, theoperator moves the switch blade 128 of the manual selector switch 129 tothe position illustrated in FIG. 20, whereby the switch blade 128 isdisposed against the contact 131. Thereafter, the operator momentarilypushes inwardly on the bridging member 156 of the switch 155 to causethe same to bridge the contacts 154 and 176 as illustrated in FIG.whereby the same places the solenoid coil 1073 of the selector switch ofthe timer construction 3013 of the coil 1078 of the timer construction30B across the power source leads L and L as illustrated by bold linesin FIG. 20 so that the energized solenoid 1073 causes the switch 568thereof to have the switch blade 124 moved away from the contact 125 andagainst the contact 126 for the selected time period of the selectormeans 308 whereby the load means 122 will be placed across the powersource leads L and L throughout the entire time period of operation ofthe timer construction 308 as illustrated in FIG. 21. v

After the timerconstruction 308 has timed out, the same again moves theswitch blades 124 thereof away from the contactl26 and places the sameagainst the contact 125 as illustrated in FIG. 20 so that if theoperator again pushes on the bridging member 156 of the switch 155,ftheswitch can again energize the coil 107Band initiate the operation of thetimer means 308 in the manner previously described.

Thus, with the switch blade 128 of the selector switch 129 against thecontact 131, the load means 122 can be operated for the time periodsetting of the selector means 308 each time the switch means 155 ismanually closed by the operator.

However, ifthe operator should desire for the load means 122 to berepetitively energized by the timer construction 308 after the lapse ofan of time period as set by the selector means 30B, the operator movesthe selector switch of the blade 128 of the selector switch 129 againstthe contact 130 as illustrated in FIG. 22 whereby the solenoid coil1078' of the timer construction 30B will'now be energized as the same isplaced across the power source leads L and L as illustrated by boldlines in FIG. 22 so the energized coil 107B causes its switch blade 124'to be moved away from the contact and be placed against the contact 126'for the length of time as determined by the setting of the time selectormeans of the timer construction 308. When the switch blade 124' is movedagainst the contact 126' of the timer construction 308' as illustratedin FIG. 23, the relay coil is energized so the same is placed across thepower source leads L and L as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 23 tocause the switch blades 136 and 133 thereof to move downwardly againstthe contacts 144 and 143 whereby the contact 143 provides a holdingcircuit for maintaining the relay coil 135 energized even though thetimer construction 30B subsequently times out to again cause the switchblade 124' thereof to move away from the contact 126 and against thecontact 125' as illustrated in FIG. 24. However, because the switchblade 136 of the relay 134 is now against the contact 144 as illustratedin FIG. 24 by the energized relay coil 135, the switch 56B of the timerconstruction 308' now causes the coil 1078 of the timer construction 308to be energized as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 24 so that the samewill now cause its switch blade 124 to move against the contact 126 asillustrated in FIG. 25 to place the load 122 across the power sourceleads L and L as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 25 for the timeperiod as set by the time selector means of the timer construction 308.During the operation of the load 122 by the timer 30B, it can be seenthat the movement of the switch blade 124 of the switch 568 against thecontact 126 thereof deenergizes the relay coil 135 so that the switchblades 133 and 136 move back against the contacts 137 and 138 asillustrated in FIG. 25 so that when the timer construction 30B times outand causes the switch blade 124 thereof to move away from the contact126 and terminate the operation of the load means 122 and again beplaced against the contact 125 thereof, the coil means 1073' of thetimer construction 308' will again be energized in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 22 to again automatically causethe operation of thetimer construction 30B after the lapse of the time period of the timerconstruction 308' in the manner previously described. v I

Thus, the two timer constructions 30B and 30B cause the load 122 to becontinuously operated in a cycling on and off manner as long as theswitch blade 128 of the manual switch 129 is against the contact 130.

Therefore, it can be seen that an improved timer control circuit orsystem is provided by this invention as well as improved timerconstruction as previously described.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statues, other forms may be utilized all coming withinthe scope of the claims which follow.

I claim: 4 I

1. In combination, an electrical power source, a first timer unit, asecond timer unit, load means, circuit means for operativelyinterconnecting said timer units and said load means to said powersource, and switch means in said circuit means having a first positionfor automatically causing-said first timer unit to interconnect saidsource to said load means for a first time period after the lapse ofwhich said second timer unit will after the lapse of a second timeperiod again cause said first timer unit to interconnect said source tosaid load means for said first time period whereby such cycling of saidload means is continuous and automatic as long as said switch means isin said first position thereof, said switch means having a secondposition, said circuit means having a manual switch when momentarilyclosed and said switch means is in said second position thereof willcause said first timer unit to interconnect said source to said loadmeans for said first time period after .the lapse of which said manualswitch must again be manually closed to repeat such cycle.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second timer unitis initially operated when said switch means is first moved to saidfirst position thereof.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timer units areeach manually settable to predetermine the period of time controlledthereby within the time limits of the respective unit.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first timer unitincludes a solenoid that actuates the same when said solenoid isoperated.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first timer unithas push button means that actuates the same when pushed to one positionthereof, said solenoid being operatively interconnected to said pushbutton means to move the same to said one position thereof when saidsolenoid is energized.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said push button meansof said first timer unit indicates the lapse of time during the timeperiod of operation of said first unit.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second timer unitalso has a push button means and solenoid in the same manner as saidfirst timer unit.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said push button meansof said timer units each indicates the lapse of vtime during the timeperiod of operation of the respective unit.

1. In combination, an electrical power source, a first timer unit, asecond timer unit, load means, circuit means for operativelyinterconnecting said timer units and said load means to said powersource, and switch means in said circuit means having a first positionfor automatically causing said first timer unit to interconnect saidsource to said load means for a first time period after the lapse ofwhich said second timer unit will after the lapse of a second timeperiod again cause said first timer unit to interconnect said source tosaid load means for said first time period whereby such cycling of saidload means is continuous and automatic as long as said switch means isin said first position thereof, said switch means having a secondposition, said circuit means having a manual switch when momentarilyclosed and said switch means is in said second position thereof willcause said first timer unit to interconnect said source to said loadmeans for said first time period after the lapse of which said manualswitch must again be manually closed to repeat such cycle.
 2. Acombination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second timer unit isinitially operated when said switch means is first moved to said firstposition thereof.
 3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidtimer units are each manually settable to predetermine the period oftime controlled thereby within the time limits of the respective unit.4. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first timer unitincludes a solenoid that actuates the same when said solenoid isoperated.
 5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said firsttimer unit has push button means that actuates the same when pushed toone position thereof, said solenoid being operatively interconnected tosaid push button means to move the same to said one position thereofwhen said solenoid is energized.
 6. A combination as set forth in claim5 wherein said push button means of said first timer unit indicates thelapse of time during the time period of operation of said first unit. 7.A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second timer unitalso has a push button means and solenoid in the same manner as saidfirst timer unit.
 8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidpush button means of said timer units each indicates the lapse of timeduring the time period of operation of the respective unit.